EXPATS’ GUIDE: Your Home Internet Options in the Philippines
Updated as of October 11, 2023
The internet undoubtedly climbed up to a prominent position in our hierarchy of needs over the past decade. According to Statista, a company trusted by global industry leaders such as Google and Adobe, 64% of the global population or 5.18 billion people worldwide are using the internet on a regular basis, as of April 2023.
The Philippines is one of the heaviest internet users in the world and is on the top when it comes to social media usage. Thus, a reliable internet connection is needed in the country. For this reason, people have multiple options to explore for their internet service at home.
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Note: For some living in condominiums and apartments in the Metro, it’s best to check with the admin office as some condos provide internet access for their tenants. Still, if you want to utilize your own resources, you might want to check out the following options!
Mobile Data
Smartphones with high-speed internet access are essential for staying connected whether in the office, at school, or at home. With various prepaid promos and postpaid plans on mobile data, smartphones have become the most accessible for many.
In the Philippines, major telecommunication companies, including Globe, Smart, and DITO, all have prepaid and postpaid plans that allow you to connect to the internet just by subscribing through your mobile phone or by visiting the nearest branch to sign-up for a postpaid service.
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Prepaid means paying first before using the service. Prepaid sim cards, which can be purchased from nearby convenience stores, are usually topped up through load cards or a loading kiosk. You can subscribe for various unlimited or “unli” data through their promos, which you can check on their website.
Smart Prepaid, for example, has GIGA POWER promos for videos, games, music, and more that lets you subscribe to up to 108 GB for all sites and apps for only Php 699, valid for 30 days.
Postpaid, on the other hand, allows you to use the service first before paying through your mobile carrier’s exclusive plans. It is basically a monthly subscription with bills that can be paid online.
Globe, for example, has various GPlan with Device and GPlan Plus options from Php 599 to Php 2,499 a month. The Php 2,499 GPlan Plus package includes 100 GB data allocation, as well as unli calls and texts to all networks.
| Company | Promo | Rates | Internet Speed |
| Smart (Prepaid) | Giga Power | Php 699 / month | 108 GB |
| Globe (Postpaid) | GPlan Plus | Php 2,499 / month | 100 GB |
DITO also has Handset Plans where you can get Samsung Galaxy devices when you subscribe to one of their FLEXPLANS.
Also Read: Staying Connected: A Guide to Postpaid VS Prepaid and the SIM Registration Act in the Philippines
Pocket WiFi
Working remotely might also mean traveling to different locations, be it cozy cafes, scenic beaches, or bustling cities. For people on-the-go who also need their laptops for remote work, a pocket WiFi might be the best choice.
A pocket WiFi is a small, portable device that allows multiple electronic devices to connect to the internet using mobile data. You might want to check your mobile telecom company’s website and purchase one from them or you may also get one online.
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
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Business owners and companies often use the DSL that allows you to connect your computer or router directly to a DSL modem that is linked to the telephone line, letting you make calls and use the internet at the same time. For offices with multiple devices like laptops and mobile phones, a router is often used to distribute the internet connection wirelessly.
Aside from your mobile telecom company, PLDT, a telephone company and internet service provider in the Philippines, is often chosen for its DSL through its PLDT HOME broadband service.
Fiber Internet
Higher internet speeds are often Fiber’s advantage over DSL. Fiber uses lines made of plastic and glass strands that make data transmission faster than the DSL, which offer more distance limitations than the Fiber Internet since the DSL’s connection decreases the farther you are from their main distribution office. One major point to consider, however, is that Fiber is more expensive than the DSL.
PLDT features Fiber Unli Plans as part of their HOME service suite. Depending on which plan you will choose, PLDT’s Fiber Unli Plans are great for HD streaming, surfing, video calls, big file transfers, and more.
| Company | Product | Rates | Internet Speed |
| PLDT Home | Fiber Unli Plan | Php 1,699 / month | 200 Mbps |
| Php 2,099 / month | 400 Mbps | ||
| Php 2,699 / month | 600 Mbps | ||
| Price upon request | 1,000 Mbps |
Additionally, Converge ICT Solutions delivers pure fiber internet packages through various products such as the FiberX, a residential-friendly internet product which offers upto 1 Gbps internet speed!
| Company | Product | Rates | Internet Speed |
| Converge ICT Solutions | FiberX | Php 1,500 / month | up to 200 Mbps |
| Php 2,000 / month | up to 400 Mbps | ||
| Php 2,500 / month | up to 600 Mbps | ||
| Php 3,500 / month | up to 800 Mbps | ||
| Php 7,499 / month | up to 1 Gbps |
Similarly, InfiniVAN, aligned with Japanese digital solutions, provides a dependable Fiber Optic Network framework tailored for both commercial and residential customers in the Philippines. They also offer 24/7 customer support, in case needed.
Cable Internet
Unlike the DSL which links to your landline phone, cable internet is connected to your television input. This is currently gaining popularity as it allows residential owners to enjoy watching your favorite TV shows and use the internet at the same time.
SKY Cable Corporation remains as one of the most popular service providers for cable internet. SKY also offers SKY Fiber which has unli broadband plans to choose from, starting at 30 Mbps, all the way up to 200 Mbps.
| Company | Product | Rates | Internet Speed |
| SKY Cable Corporation | SKY Fiber Unli Broadband Plan | Php 999 / month | 30 Mbps |
| Php 1,299 / month | 75 Mbps | ||
| Php 1,699 / month | 150 Mbps | ||
| Php 2,299 / month | 200 Mbps |
Aside from this, they have services that combine unli broadband with HD Cable TV plans that also come with a high-speed modem.
| Company | Product | Rates | Internet Speed + Cable Features |
| SKY Cable Corporation | SKY Fiber Unli Broadband Plan + HD Cable TV Plans | Php 1,699 / month | 100 Mbps (16 HD | 54 SD Channels) |
| Php 2,499 / month | 170 Mbps (25 HD | 69 SD Channels) |
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| Php 2,999 / month | 200 Mbps 25 HD | 69 SD Channels |
Note: SKY Cable currently offers free installation until October 31, 2023 and free speed boosts until December 31, 2023. Present one (1) valid ID to avail this.
It’s also recommended to check the nearest available services within your area to ensure that they can cater to your needs in no time.
Satellite Internet
SCREENSHOT from Starlink’s website
With the demand for higher internet speeds in the Philippines, satellite internet is entering the marketplace with offers of a more reliable internet access of up to 200 mbps, easy installation, and wide coverage. Starlink, for example, made its way in the Philippines in February 2023 and has now reached even remote areas like Quezon province.
Starlink, the satellite internet service provider developed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, provides a high-speed and low-latency internet service that utilizes low-orbit satellites instead of conventional data cables such as DSL or Fiber, making it an easy solution to getting a reliable internet connection in remote areas.
Also Read: How to Register and More: Everything You Need to Know about Starlink Philippines
With multiple options for securing the best internet services for your home or business, your ideal choice will depend on several factors such as your location, budget, required speed, reliability needs, and the type of customer support you desire. So, it’s better to check on pros and cons to help you stay connected and productive wherever you are.
Looking for a fast and reliable office internet connection? You may also want to check out Philippine Primer’s Business Page for more information on world-class ICT services!
Sources: Statista, smart.com.ph, new.globe.com.ph, dito.ph, mysky.com.ph, pldthome.com, convergeict.com
